I just got home form Hartford. It's 3 a.m. and I'm still flying high.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band opened up the 2008 leg of their "Magic" Tour on Thursday night with a show that's going to be talked about for a long time.
This wasn't a good opener, this was a GREAT opener.
From the moment Bruce opened the show awith a high-energy and fun "So Young and In Love" the capactiy crowd at the XL Center knew they were in for a special evening.
It was only the second show of this tour where Bruce didn't open up a show with Radio Nowhere (the other show was Oct. 6 in Philadelphia when he opened with "Night") and it's a good sign that we may see a lot of rarities and suprises in the setlist.
Other songs played for the first time on this tour were "Loose Ends" and "Janey Don't You Lose Heart." which saw Nils Lofgren singing some of the lead vocals.
Patti Scialfa was not at the show tonight. Also no Danny Federici. Charles Giordano continuing to fill in on organ as he did in Europe (tonight was his U.S. debut with the E Streeters). Bruce said this about Danny: "He's doing all right. Hopefully he'll make it out for a few shows on this leg of the tour."

A very strong encore saw "Backstreets" and an absolutely incredible "Kitty's Back." Bruce's guitar work on "Kitty" was some of the best guitar playing I've seen by the man.

Setlist:
1. So Young and in Love
2. Radio Nowhere
3. Lonesome Day
4. Gypsy Biker
5. Magic
6. Reason to Believe
7. Loose Ends
8. She's the One
9. Livin' in the Future
10. The Promised Land
11. Waitin' on a Sunny Day
12. Janey Don't You Lose Heart
13. The River
14. Devil's Arcade
15. The Rising
16. Last to Die
17. Long Walk Home
18. Badlands

Encores:
19. Girls in Their Summer Clothes
20. Backstreets
21. Kitty's Back
22. Born to Run
23. American Land

The tour heads to Montreal for a show on Sunday. If the setlist continue to have more surprises like tonight, fans at future shows are in for another incredible Springsteen experience.
Does the man ever slow down?
There will be a show at the Nassau Coliseum on Monday, March. 10